How To Make Lobster Rolls (Easy Homemade Recipe)

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Maine Lobster Roll Recipe
What is a Lobster Roll? Meet Maine’s official summer sandwich

Lobster rolls are a quintessential summer sandwich, typically found in New England clam shacks and roadside stands and considered the coastal counterpart of the classic hot dog. Much like chili, the lobster roll is a highly debated dish since everyone has their preferred way of preparing it.

Ingredients for the Perfect Lobster Roll

Lobster Roll Ingredients

Lobster Meat

To make a delicious Lobster Roll like LobsterAnywhere, start with high-quality, juicy lobster meat, and lots of it. Use 8 ounces of lobster meat for a couple of rolls. Advanced processing technologies offer premium frozen lobster meat that can be better than freshly cooked meat stored for a day or two.

Cook lobsters alive, chill them, and pick the meat on the spot. Lobster Anywhere delivers the best Maine lobster to your doorstep. The star of the roll should be tender chunks of freshly cooked or appropriately fresh-frozen lobster meat.

Did you know there are differences in the meat from the different parts of the lobster?

  • CK meat: Claw and knuckle meat is known in the trade as CK meat. It is the most widely used for rolls.
  • TCK meat: Tail, Claw, and knuckle meat is called TCK meat. This mix includes the best parts of the lobster, with the tail meat being the most expensive.
  • CKL meat: Claw, knuckle, and leg meat. This is the cheaper mix with the leg meat.
  • Tail Meat: This is the biggest and most expensive meat of the lobster. The tail is fibrious and firm. It is not as tender as the claw and knuckle meat, therefore your roll should not consist of all tail meat.

How Much Lobster Do You Need for a Lobster Roll?

The ideal amount of lobster meat for a single lobster roll varies depending on the size of the bun and the desired filling. On average, a typical lobster roll contains about 4 ounces of lobster meat. Some lobster purveyors like to go light on the meat or skimp– they will often use fillers (ie, lettuce, celery), to make the roll look bigger.

To prepare lobster rolls for a group, calculate the required amount of lobster meat by multiplying 4 ounces by the number of guests.

Number of GuestsLobster Meat Needed
28 oz.
416 oz.
624 oz.
8 2 lbs.
Amount of lobster meat needed to make a good size lobster roll.

Need more rolls for a big party? You can cut your rolls in half to make more and to extend your meat you can make mini rolls or sliders. With sliders you can use about 2-3 oz. of meat per slider roll.

How to Make Maine Lobster Rolls

Bread – The Perfect Roll

Lobster rolls are traditionally served on a top-split, melted butter grilled roll called a New England hot dog bun. Finding authentic rolls outside New England can be difficult. The typical New England hot dog roll has straight-up, white sides that absorb the most butter and stay soft inside when grilled in a pan.

Fresh-off-the-griddle buttered rolls are essential for a perfect lobster roll. The bread should not be too thick, and the meat should be the star of the sandwich.

Pepperidge Farm is a popular option; these New England rolls are baked with a brown crust on the sides, taste great when butter grilled, and hold up well.

We’ve found “lobster rolls” made with some inventive bread choices, including:

If you can’t find a “top-loading” hot-dog bun, give a brioche roll a try or even a nice buttery croissant.

Dressings & Toppings

The combination of dressings and toppings can transform a simple lobster roll into a savory masterpiece. Here are a few ingredients to consider:

  • Mayonnaise: An essential ingredient contributing to the creamy texture of lobster rolls. Use 2-3 tablespoons for a rich taste without overpowering the lobster itself. We like to use Cains mayonnaise since it’s all-natural and local.
  • Lemon Juice: Enhances the flavor of the lobster, with 2 tablespoons being the suggested amount.
  • Celery: Adding a finely chopped celery stalk provides a nice crunch and contrast to the lobster’s soft texture.
  • Chives or Dill Weed: Herbs like chives or dill weed can add a burst of freshness and flavor to the lobster mixture.
  • Seasonings: A dash of salt, freshly ground black pepper, or Old Bay seasoning can enhance the overall taste of the lobster roll.

Pro Tip: Make sure you can visibly see lobster meat in the roll, like a whole claw or two, or even a big piece of tail meat. Lightly dressed rolls are the best.

Ensure the ingredients are well combined without overpowering the star ingredient: freshly cooked lobster meat. The combination of these ingredients will create a scrumptious lobster roll bursting with flavor and texture.

How To Make Different Types Of Lobster Rolls

The age-old question that every seafood lover has pondered – should a lobster roll be served warm with drawn butter or chilled with mayo? The best way to make a lobster roll has been a debate between culinary experts and enthusiasts for years.

The three most popular types of lobster rolls are The Connecticut, The Maine, and The Maverick. Not sure which one to choose? Check out our guide to help you make an informed decision.

YouTube video

How to Make Hot Buttered Lobster Rolls (Hot Buttered Connecticut Style)

Lobster Roll Recipes
Chris Robinson makes homemade hot buttered rolls with our kit.
  1. Grab a saucepan and melt our Maine sea salt butter over low heat.
  2. Add our fresh lobster meat to the warmed butter and toss gently. Using a spoon, continually toss in butter, gently warming it up for no more than two minutes. Be careful not to overheat or cook the meat.
  3. Brush each side of our Pepperidge Farm split rolls with butter and toast in a skillet.
  4. Load the bread with cooked lobster meat and finish with a squeeze of lemon juice, a pinch of salt, and a shake of pepper.
  5. Serve up immediately since the butter can soak through the bread, and no one wants soggy bread.

Classic Maine Lobster Rolls with Mayo

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Maine Lobster Roll Recipe

Classic Maine Lobster Rolls with Mayo

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The good folk of Maine like to dress their chilled lobster meat with creamy mayo. Some call it a cold lobster salad, but we think a lobster salad is something a little different. The chilled meat is generously loaded into a toasted split top roll, before being finished with a spritz of lemon juice and a shake of salt and pepper.

Keeping it simple is the key to a great roll! Serving 2 lbs. of cooked lobster meat make about eight (4 oz.) rolls or about twelve mini lobster sliders.

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds of fresh claw and knuckle meat
  • 2 sticks of butter 
  • 8 top split lobster rolls. 
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Two whole lemons. 

Instructions

  1. Grab a large bowl and mix our cooked lobster meat with quality mayonnaise.
  2. Add a squeeze of lemon juice, a pinch of salt, and a shake of pepper.
  3. Fold all the ingredients into each other until the lobster meat is lightly covered.
  4. Brush both sides of each a top split hot dog bun with our Maine sea salt butter and toast in a skillet until golden brown (about 2 minutes per side).
  5. Open the top split roll and pile in your chilled lobster meat until your roll is overstuffed.
  6. Squeeze with fresh lemon and top each roll. Don’t forget to supply a fork to get every chunk of lobster meat that spills out.

Now you have a classic Maine lobster roll even if you live in the small town of South Boston, Virgin

Notes

Captain’s Tip: Go easy on the mayo. Too much mayonnaise and you’ve got a watery roll.

The bread should never outweigh your lobster meat! Can’t find a good roll in your locale? Try a brioche bun or a nice buttery croissant. Also be sure to visit your local bakery for fresh bread.

Optional: Add fresh chives and lemon zest to your mayo, or fresh chopped celery for a little crunch. You can also layer lettuce in buns, but we like to say no to lobster filler.

To make a naked or hot buttered lobster roll just skip the mayo and stuff your lobster rolls with chilled lobster meat and drizzle with hot butter.

  • Author: Lobster Louie
  • Prep Time: 15
  • Cook Time: 10
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Steam
  • Cuisine: American

The Maverick

Lobster rolls are a popular dish among foodie enthusiasts, known for their unique blend of flavors. These rolls are usually made with lobster meat and finished with a variety of ingredients like aioli, wasabi, pickled mustard seeds, cucumber, and Tabasco, to name a few.

While some chefs try to add their own spin on the dish, such as mac and cheese or Asian slaw, we prefer to keep it simple and let the delicious flavor of the lobster speak for itself. Our lobsters are sourced from a sustainable fishery in Maine caught by independent lobstermen. We believe the ingredients’ quality is key to making a great lobster roll.

In addition to the classic lobster roll, there are many other variations of the dish. For example, the California version features avocado, white cabbage, pico de gallo, and Sriracha. Other toppings that can be added to a lobster roll include:

  • Bacon
  • Pickled mustard seeds
  • Cucumbers
  • Caramelized onions
  • Tomatoes
  • Hot giardiniera
  • Old Bay seasoning
  • Black truffle
  • Panko crumbs
  • Crushed potato chips

You never want to over-complicate a lobster roll, but there is one secret topping that will add a hit of salty sweetness. Pick up a box each of Lorna Dune Cookies, Keebler Club Crackers, and Ritz Crackers.

  1. Place a handful each in a zip lock bag and mash them up fine.
  2. Just before you serve your rolls sprinkle a little of this mixture on the top of your rolls for a flavor extravaganza!
  3. Give each roll a squeeze of fresh lemon.
Simple Lobster Roll Ingredient

While it’s okay to get creative with the toppings, it’s important to always use fresh ingredients and stay true to the source of the lobster.

What to Serve with Lobster Rolls?

Just like your hand held lobster roll, it’s nice to have sides that are portable. This includes pototo chips, fresh cut french fries, or onion rings. You can also round out your lobster roll with more substantial sides like pototo salad or coleslaw. Try your roll with a slice of watermellon or a Maine blueberry cobbler.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Healthy Is a Lobster Roll?

Lobster rolls can be a healthy option as it is low in calories and high in protein. However, the calorie and fat content can be high depending on the recipe. To make it healthier, use whole wheat bun and reduce the use of mayonnaise and butter.

Is Traditional Lobster Roll with Butter or Mayo?

Lobster rolls vary by region. The Maine recipe uses mayo, while the Connecticut-style roll uses hot butter. Both have unique flavors, so preference is subjective.

Connecticut vs. Maine Lobster Rolls: What’s the Difference?

Connecticut-Style Lobster Roll: This version features warm lobster meat, typically tossed in melted butter and served on a toasted bun.

Maine-Style Lobster Roll: For this version, the lobster meat is combined with mayonnaise, celery, and various seasonings, then served cold on a toasted bun.

Conclusion: Savor the Flavor of Homemade Lobster Rolls

As you conclude your journey through the world of homemade lobster rolls, you now have all the necessary knowledge and inspiration to create these delicious treats in your own kitchen. Whether you prefer the rich and buttery taste of Connecticut-style rolls, the classic creaminess of Maine-style rolls, or the bold innovation of “The Maverick,” you have the power to customize your lobster rolls to your liking.

In addition to providing recipes, we have also addressed common questions about the healthiness of lobster rolls, the ongoing debate between butter and mayo, the right amount of lobster meat, and the nuances that differentiate Connecticut from Maine styles.

Now, it’s time to gather your ingredients and let your culinary creativity shine. Enjoy the flavor of homemade lobster rolls, made with love, expertise, and a touch of your own unique style. Your taste buds are in for a sensational treat, and soon you’ll be a lobster roll connoisseur. Bon appétit!

Comments

  1. My wife’s parents live on Cape Cod and the loberster rolls from Lobsteranywhere are as close to being on the Cape as you can get -PS this scores me big points with the wife!!!!!!!
    Thanks Lobersteranywhere.

  2. We love Lobster Anywhere! I’ve only been a customer for a few weeks, and have ordered 3 times already! The lobster rolls. Your lobster is FRESH, and amazing and you ship a very generous amount. And we will keep ordering. Also, your clam chowder is AMAZING — but the packets are tiny. One packet does not even fill 2 bowls. Make the packets bigger (and again, just charge us a little more.)
    But I want to emphasize — the “star” of your show – the lobster – is fresh and incredible!
    We definitely will be ordering again.

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